In aid of RNIB and BBC Children in Need
Hints and tips for solving cryptic crossword clues.
Subscribe to receive Hints & Tips by email.
Clues by Tramp and Grid by Max Jackson The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing some colourful flowers, possibly lupins. This grid by Max Jackson celebrates the 70th anniversary of a cultural institution. There are ten undefined thematic entries, divided into a quartet and a sextet. Three of the quartet portrayed… Read more Hints & Tips May 2021
Clues and Grid by Puck The background for this puzzle is a Bernard Spragg photograph showing a gear mechanism connecting two shafts at right angles. This grid by Puck won the 2019 RPM Trophy. The puzzle marks a notable anniversary of religious significance. The event in question has an apparently revolting name which rarely fails… Read more Hints & Tips April 2021
Clues by Arachne and Grid by Patch The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a harbour-side café. The tables sit deserted under an awning as rain teems down. Patch’s grid relates not to an anniversary, but to a thematic phrase, which must be deduced. There are five undefined thematic solutions: a… Read more Hints & Tips March 2021
Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by Sirius This is an extra-special crossword celebrating a 100th anniversary. Sirius has constructed a highly appropriate grid consisting of a column and two spheres to represent 100. In this instance there is no secret about the anniversary. The puzzle is preceded by a tribute page with articles by Enigmatist… Read more Hints & Tips February Extra Special 100 2021
Clues and Grid by Curmudgeon The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing nuts and bolts and coins. Curmudgeon’s grid commemorates the 50th anniversary of an important alteration that one could consider a small change, but certainly not a loose change. The solutions (mostly 5- or 7-letter) have to be entered jigsaw-wise… Read more Hints & Tips February 2021
Clues by Nutmeg and Grid by Jolt The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing Ravi Bopara playing a summer sport for England against New Zealand. The coloured clothing indicates that this is not a Test Match. Jolt has constructed a grid celebrating the 50th anniversary of an impromptu first instance of… Read more Hints & Tips January 2021
Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by etc The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a beautiful sunset with a crescent moon casting a little moonlight. As creators of this grid, celebrating a 250th anniversary, we were delighted to see the final form of this puzzle. Enigmatist has orchestrated a mellifluous composition… Read more Hints & Tips December 2020
Clues by Nutmeg and Grid by Mang The background for this puzzle is a deep blue Graham Fox photograph which appears to be a close-up of a flower. A Seven Dials grid is used and there are 49 clues. There is a theme that is literally out of this world: the 8 bold edged cells… Read more Hints & Tips November 2020
This is a general introduction. It covers briefly the most common types of cryptic clues and looks at how to recognise a clue type and solve them, as well as how you might design one yourself. Setting clues can be just as much fun as solving them and will illuminate the solving process. A useful… Read more How to solve cryptic clues
Clues by Qaos and Grid by Max Liversidge The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph of two empty glasses with blue and red straws. This has a general theme relating to Day 27 (10ac) and several of the other clues reference this. As a final task, solvers are invited to find a… Read more Hints & Tips October 2020